how should I approach my crush and should I confess?

So me (19M) has a crush on this girl who attends some of the same classes I do, we’ve been going to the same classes for about 2 years now but only now have I begun to notice her.

So I go a boys only Catholic school and she goes to a girls only school as well which means I don’t really associate with opposite sex on purpose and since I have social anxiety I tend to avoid them most of the time but now I’m interested in herbut I’m not sure how I should approach this since this could just be a fleeting feeling which I’m not sure. But this is the first time I’ve even been able to make up my mind that I’d confess so it’s pretty stressful.

But the thing is we both have a major exam coming next January and she seems to be a pretty hardworking girl form what I’ve observed so I don’t want to bring this up now and by chance sabotage her work ethic. I’ve already asked a few friends of mine to look into her as we speak so what do you think I should do? I’m thinking abt confessing post exam if we either meet up or something….I’m still working out that part. So I’d appreciate some advice.